For The Union-Tribune
Cut Friday as an option
People who get a common surgery on a Friday have a significantly higher risk of complications, reission to the hospital and death as compared with people who got the same types of operation on a Monday, say researchers in a new study.
It’s colloquially known as the “weekend effect,” alluding to everybody’s — even surgeons’ — distraction with weekends.
People with Friday procedures did worse 30 days, 90 days and even a year after surgery for 25 common procedures. Overall, they had 5 percent higher odds of a bad outcome, which would pretty much ruin anyone’s weekend.
Not feline good
The H5N1 bird flu has ravaged the poultry industry and poses a health threat to humans if the virus jumps species. Pet cats now appear at risk — of getting the flu from their owners.
Bird flu has killed more than 100 domesticated cats since 2022, from house cats to barn cats to feral cats, reports STAT. Even “great cats” like cougars and bobcats have fallen prey to the virus. Many were likely exposed to the virus in raw milk, raw meat pet foods and wild birds.
But there have also been recent cases of indoor cats who died. These cats lived with farm workers and had no exposure to other infected animals.
Body of knowledge
A 2009 Danish study found that men and women whose thighs had a circumference of less than 23.6 inches had a higher risk of developing heart disease and premature death. The association was independent of other factors like body fat, smoking, cholesterol levels and other cardiovascular risk factors.
Get me that. Stat!
A typical migraine attack can last between four and 72 hours if not treated. Roughly 8 percent of all people diagnosed with migraines suffer from them chronically. Fermented foods such as aged cheeses, pickled foods and alcohol are common migraine triggers, but the most common are stress, irregular sleep and hormones.
Counts
130 — Percentage increase in the global number of osteoarthritis cases between 1990 and 2021 among women who have gone through menopause
Source: BMJ Global Health
Phobia of the week
Kopophobia — fear of fatigue, though sometimes you just get tired of being afraid
Hypochondriac’s guide
Walking corpse syndrome or Cotard’s syndrome is a rare neuropsychiatric disorder related to depression. It causes people to believe that they are dead or missing their soul, organs, blood or specific body parts. The syndrome is usually a symptom of another psychiatric condition rather than a disease on its own.
Cotard’s is usually managed through medications like anti-depressants, anti-psychotics and anti-anxiety drugs; and with cognitive behavioral therapy or psychotherapy.
Observation
“Either this man is dead or my watch has stopped.”
— Comedian Groucho Marx (1890-1977)
Medical history
This week in 1993, German physicist and space shuttle mission specialist Hans Schlegel received the first warmed saline infusion to test whether it was an effective way to rehydrate astronauts. Microgravity in space causes body fluids to shift, resulting in dehydration and common symptoms like a puffy face and skinny legs. Two other astronauts also successfully received test infusions.
Ig Nobel apprised
The Ig Nobel Prizes celebrate achievements that make people laugh, then think. A look at real science that’s hard to take seriously, and even harder to ignore.
In 2000, the Ig Nobel Prize in literature went to Jasmuheen (formerly Ellen Greve) of Australia, self-proclaimed first lady of breatharianism, for her book “Living on Light: A Source of Nourishment for the New Millennium,” which explains that although some people do eat food, they don’t ever really need to.
Jasmuheen, 67, is still alive, but several deaths over the years have been directly linked to breatharianism. She has denied any responsibility for the deaths.
Sum body
Seven facts about measles:
1. Everyone used to get measles.
2. The measles virus is highly contagious.
3. It can cause more than just a rash.
4. The measles vaccine is very effective.
5. Measles is considered eliminated in the U.S.
6. You should get vaccinated against measles.
7. People still get measles in America.
Most people born before 1957 are considered to have lifelong immunity because before 1957, everybody pretty much got the disease. Persons born after 1957 need to assess what type of measles vaccine they received and whether it created lifelong protection. Ask your doctor if you aren’t sure.
Curtain calls
In 1881, a servant known only as Hague was instructed by one Mr. Birchall to fetch a four-chambered pistol from another room. Hague did so, but while examining the gun, he shot himself in the head, dying instantly. Hague was discovered by another servant, who also fatally shot herself while demonstrating how Hague had died.
LaFee is vice president of communications for the Sanford Burnham Prebys research institute.
